Friday, April 10, 2009

Not only did we pack everything we needed to leave our home for all seven days of Pesach, but we even managed to fit everything into our modest family car (five seater, hatchback). OK, it was a little squishy, but we made it! Hopefully, I'll find a better way to pack everything for the longer car trips. (We really need a roof rack!)

This is one of my very useful, but unmarketable skills. I am great at packing things into small spaces. I learned to pack a trunk from my dad, who is the only person I know who can do a better job than I.

When we arrived at my in-laws, everything was beautifully set out.

Moshe's parents asked him to lead the Seder. Moshe managed to keep everyone engaged, despite the fact that we were all really tired both from preparations as well as from getting up at 5:00 in the morning for Birkat HaChammah.

This year's Seder was much more streamlined than last year's. But it was still a dynamic Seder with participation from all involved.

We said maggid (the telling of the story) in the living room, which was very comfortable. I drifted off for a few moments, waking to discover that I missed an entire section of maggid!

Had everyone not been so tired, I would have requested that we sing the songs again. But I could not ask that this year.

Later, when we moved back to the dining room, I had to take a second break. I went to lie down on the couch, and participated from there (when I was not dozing off).

After dinner, my son and eldest daughter finished up on their own and went to bed. Only my youngest daughter stayed up and sang with me to the end.

This year, when we finished Seder, I did not insist on singing all of the fun songs at the end.

Karen -- It was an increadible experience! I hope to write about it while the feelings are still fresh.

I actually fell asleep twice during the Seder. The first time, I just couldn't help it. I missed parts that I love to sing. The second time, I did not mind so much, because I missed a section with no singing and with content that is a little less interesting to me.

I do not like to sleep at all during Seder, since I do not want to miss anyone's comments. But I just could not keep my eyes open.

Baila -- ok, that might have something to do with it....

Muse -- NO WINE for the first two cups!! Organic wine is still alcoholic.

It took me years to realize that if I should not drink wine before the seudah -- and that was *before* chemo! I only drink wine for the third and/or fourth cup.

This year, I was so tired, I was not sure I would drink any wine. In the end, I mixed wine with my grape juice - 1/2 Concord wine, 1/2 Concord grape juice - yumm.

You asked....

Israel Time

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I am a Red-Head (to know one, is to love one), Zionist (last of a dying breed), Idealist (can't help it, I still want to change the world), Enthusiastic People Person (love to meet you!), Mom (my kids are EVERYTHING to me), Wife (married to my best friend), and Cancer Survivor (read on!).

Cancer History in 3 sentences or less:

Diagnosed with DCIS (stage ZERO breast cancer) at age 39 (June 2005). Three surgeries and 2 years later (July 2007)... I became a statistical anomaly: breast cancer mysteriously metastasized to my bones, liver and lungs. 2 years later (July 2009), we discovered metastases in my brain.